I AM THAT SAME GIRL... I AM THAT SAME WOMAN

The last month has brought challenge, change and ultimately survival. As most of you, my friends, know - I am passionate, dedicated and fearless when it comes to my professional career. I am not as passionate, dedicated or fearless when it comes to my personal life... I have been criticized on both fronts over the last six weeks - and at times the critics have not only challenged and questioned my integrity but have attacked who I am as a native woman. I had an experience that shook me to the very core. I began to question everything I did, everything I am... I took these last few weeks to get to know myself again. I began to doubt that... but now I have spent a week on the road with my kids and close friends, one of whom I treasure like family and I had reparations to make. I want all of you to know that I am back. I am strong and resolved to fulfill my life's mission, "To pursue cultural and historic authenticity in an effort to defend, protect and define tribal sovereignty."

I had to remind myself who I really am... not who people want me to be...

I am that same first grader who walked bravely into Catholic school and wanted everyone to know that she was Seminole. I am that same third grade girl who danced for the public for tips so that she could buy new school shoes. I am that same fourth grader with buckteeth and pigtails who refused to write an essay on why Christopher Columbus was important to her. I am that same girl who went to the library to learn about Wounded Knee because she was infatuated with the members of AIM she met on the pow wow trails...  I am that same 7th grader who read about Hopi and the Peabody Coal debate. I am that same freshman in high school that couldn't wait to graduate because she wanted to go to college. I am that same girl who fouled out every basketball game she ever played because competition was personal. I am that same girl who has always challenged "what is" if it is "wrong."

I am that same woman who stands up to the the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Regional Office, to defend her Tribe. I am that same woman who stood up to the White House when our people were compared to Al Qaeda. I am that same woman who stood up to the Army Corps of Engineers and Water Management District when human remains were removed without consultation. I am that same woman who stands before thousands to talk about tribal sovereignty. I am that same woman who works more than 30 days in a row without a day off. I am that same woman who is not afraid of a challenge.

I am that same woman who has a hard time trusting people. I am working on that. I am that same woman who as a young woman was beaten so bad she was hospitalized and lost her first child. I am that same woman who was ashamed of her bruises. I am that same vulnerable woman who can make mistakes. I am that same woman who can admit she is lonely at times. I am ALSO THAT WOMAN who says, yes it hurt, yes it happened, but you will not take my power... you will not take me down as a woman. I am a warrior woman and I will pity the man without honor. I am that woman who will pray for the souls of her enemy. I am that woman who will not forget where I come from. I am a native woman who loves her life and loves her people.  I may have been down for a few weeks to figure out what I'm doing but I'm BACK and I'm determined! Let's do this!